The postcard-like beauty of Yunnan's Shangri-La (6)

Overlooking a village near Zhongdian 1995. (Photo/chinadaily.com.cn)

Initially it was difficult to reach the lake. The ground was boggy with numerous watercourses bisecting the surface while the bike was proving exceptionally heavy every time I had to handle it over physical obstacles. Then I spotted a route through a compact village of whitewashed buildings towards the shoreline. Reaching the water’s edge I must have sat there for an hour gazing across a stunningly serene landscape where it was easy to imagine that every photo taken would resemble a postcard. Clean air providing excellent visibility enhanced the scene.

Yaks, sheep, horses, cattle and black pigs roamed freely on the springy meadows, some actually standing in the lake’s shallow waters. Heavily garbed women sitting patiently nearby had no hesitation in throwing a stone at any of their animals tending to wander off!